Ian Paisley laughing—did you ever think you’d see the day? The ongoing peace process is an amazing piece of work and everyone who has ever worked on it deserves a pint. On us, if we ever see you. Gives us hope for many other messed up places.

Northern Ireland’s first minister, Ian Paisley, and the deputy first minister, Martin McGuinness, smile after being sworn in at Stormont. Photograph: Paul Faith/AP

Ian Paisley, the Democratic Unionist party leader who spent decades denouncing republicans, and Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander, joined together yesterday to assume office as first and deputy first ministers at the head of a new power-sharing government.